David Luiz’s days at Stamford Bridge appear to be up, with the Brazil international reportedly set to leave Chelsea to join Paris Saint-Germain in a bumper summer deal.

With the Blues set to reap a grand financial windfall, Jose Mourinho is expected to bring a handful of new players to west London this summer.

With Luiz ready to depart, The Guardian has stated that the Portuguese head coach will look to former charge Raphael Varane as the outgoing man’s replacement.

The young French defender has found himself behind Pepe and Sergio Ramos in Carlo Ancelotti’s preferences in the Spanish capital this term, with rumblings that he could well be available for the right price.

Although Varane is an excellent centre-half with all the attributes to be a real star in the Blues side, Mourinho should think twice before splurging on the young Frenchman.

With Kurt Zouma Stamford Bridge bound and the presence of John Terry, Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic and Tomas Kalas in his squad, the Portuguese could well be overloaded at centre-half if Varane was to arrive.

On the other hand, the Blues are looking decidedly light in central midfield with the versatile Luiz and veteran Frank Lampard leaving the club.

Wouldn’t the money be better spent on a top-class, international central midfielder to partner Nemanja Matic?

Someone of the calibre of Toni Kroos, Paul Pogba or Koke would be a much more practical addition than Varane, and would make Chelsea’s squad much more rounded.

Gareth McKnight

I am a freelance football journalist from Northern Ireland, currently living and working from Broome in Western Australia. After a degree in sports journalism from the University of Stirling in Scotland, I started in the online football world and have worked for leading websites and media outlets since. My knowledge and passion is based around the Premier League and European football, but I also have a soft spot for the Australian A-League.